nqtronix
XK6A.dipdiptrace PCB file; this design contains no pins and thus can be opend with the free 300pin versiondip - 9.86 MB - 12/27/2020 at 09:08 |
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XK6A_2038_gerber.zipgerber files including order remarkx-zip-compressed - 3.02 MB - 12/27/2020 at 09:07 |
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dithering source images.zipThis archive contains the images used for the dithering patterns, you can uses this as a reference for your design. The file names match the silk-screen markings on the PCB.x-zip-compressed - 58.16 kB - 12/27/2020 at 08:27 |
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1_small.jpgEach square is 1x1cm, the sizes refer to the smallest feature size and the % is the covered or blank area. The resolution is better than expected, even 0.1mm lines are reproduced correctly.JPEG Image - 1001.38 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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2_small.jpgThe checkboard pattern is designed to be a 50/50 ratio, but if you zoom in you can see the copper squares are connected, so it can double as a (bad) ground plane.JPEG Image - 1.16 MB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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3_small.jpgUnsurprisingly the dots are etched slightly better than the squares. It's worth noting that the 0.1mm size referes to the minimum copper width, the dots have a diameter of 0.2mm. The same applies to previous images.JPEG Image - 1.06 MB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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4_small.jpgThis is almost the exact inverse of the previous image, except the dots are 0.02mm smaller in diameter. I could have fixed it before ordering, but I was too lazy for that :PJPEG Image - 1.01 MB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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5_small.jpgFor gradients preprocessing in PS or similiar is needed. This set use a 0-100% gradient, bitmap > halftone > 28 lines/inch. This translates to a dot distance of 64px, the maximum supported; to retain detail the ppi was scaled.JPEG Image - 954.67 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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6_small.jpgConventional dithering can also be used, but to import it properly into diptrace the results had to be scaled 4x. At 100ppcm there are some defects in the soldermask maybe because the small dots trapped chemicals from the etching process?JPEG Image - 1.12 MB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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7_small.jpgOn the back I used the same structures, but this time with silkscreen. The process isn't as precise, so the maximum width/spacing without faults is 0.15/0.15mm.JPEG Image - 772.23 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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8_small.jpgThe square patterns are not nearly as clear as in copper, they tend to turn into dots or smear together. This produces an effect similar to aliasing and is visible even from some distance.JPEG Image - 920.52 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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9_small.jpgHoles are reproduced quite well down to 0.125mm for the honeycomb pattern. The horizontal lines/ defects are typical for the silkscreen process.JPEG Image - 952.69 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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10_small.jpgSilkscreen dots are printed cleanly even at 0.1mm and look like a fine mesh from some distance. This is certainly my favorite.JPEG Image - 816.46 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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11_small.jpgThe halftone gradient looks surprisingly good, even better than in copper. This is because even tiny dots can be printed, so they remain visible down to 0% (instead down to ~8%).JPEG Image - 776.26 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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12_small.jpgFinally there's the conventional dither with the same issues as the copper variant. That's it, hope you found this experiment useful for your PCB art :)JPEG Image - 906.54 kB - 12/18/2020 at 10:54 |
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PCB art dithering experiments
Want more detailled PCB artwork on your PCBs? Try dithering!